<Introduction>

Various invasive and non-invasive treatments are used for chronic musculoskeletal pain relief

Also patients paying significant fees for these treatments either singly or in combination

<Aim>

To analyze the experiences of various individuals who have received or provided treatment for musculoskeletal pain management

To examine the medical use patterns of non-covered pain treatment, focusing on the patients and doctors, as a basis for determining health insurance coverage

<Method>

● Study Design

 Descriptive study used a Qualitative approach

 Core themes were identified using  Frame analysis

● Study population and Data collection

 doctors (n =10): neurosurgeons, orthopedists, rehabilitation specialists, and anesthesiologists

patients (n = 4): recommended by patient associations and academic societies

interviews were conducted for 10 days

● Focused treatment

Non-covered therapy in NIH that called ‘musculoskeletal pain management’ which cost more than 10 billion South Korean Won annually

a. Epidural neuroplasty (including endoscopic, percutaneous, and percutaneous balloon dilatation methods)

b. Intradiscal radiofrequency thermocoagulation

c. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy

d. Prolotherapy

e. Cryotherapy

f. Scrambler therap

<Result>

 Our analysis identified four themes based on the patient data<Table 1>

 For doctors, six themes were identified<Table 2>

<Conclusion>

 Comprehensive reviews of medical necessity, usage, costs, financial burden and cost-effectiveness is necessary for the determination of health insurance coverage

<Acknowledgements>

 We thanks to all person who participated in the interview

<Reference>

Ritchie J & Spencer L. (1994). Qualitative data analysis for applied policy research, in analysing qualitative data, Bryman A & Burgess, eds., Routledge, London, 173-194.